TROWBRIDGE & DISTRICT LEAGUE DIVISION ONE: Westbury beat Boomsbury and the weather

THE Trowbridge Windows & Conservatories-sponsored Trowbridge & District League avoided a second successive fixture wipeout as just one match defied the thaw and the rain - a week after the snow had led to the league losing all scheduled matches for a second time this term.

With all the games in both Division Two and Three falling foul of the weather, the only match to beat the elements was the fixture between Division One leaders Boomsbury and Westbury United Reserves and that was only played because of the efforts of Ben Howe to get the game played.

With their Cricket Ground pitch unplayable Howe, who was missing a number of key players, could have postponed the fixture but instead returned to his old stomping ground at North Bradley.

After hours of work clearing the pitch of snow and water the game was given the green light, but the hosts' efforts went unrewarded as Westbury, who had already suffered a cup defeat at the hands on Howe’s side this campaign, avenged that loss as they claimed a 4-1 win to boost their own chances of lifting the title.

Boomsbury made a sluggish start to the game and fell behind to a Simon Dolbear effort which went through the hosts keeper Luke Mayne to give Westbury their lead.

Midway through the half, another error in the Boomsbury defence led to Westbury doubling their lead, Marc Lanfear being on hand to make it 2-0.

Boomsbury gave themselves a lifeline on 35 minutes thanks to a brilliant strike from Scott Askew, Dave Appleyard providing the cross for Askew to volley home to reduce the deficit to the odd goal.

The second half saw Boomsbury come out looking for a way back into the game, the hosts huffed and puffed but were unable to add a second and it was Westbury who put the game to bed courtesy of Paul Beavers who was making a rare appearance for the Reserves.

Beavers netted to make it 3-1 and a second from the midfielder made it 4-1 and wrapped up a vital win for the visitors to move them into second spot in the quest for the title.

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